What to look for when choosing a paddling pool
Paddling pools have come a long way in recent years and have now evolved into full-blown entertainment centres for children of all ages. But there are a few things to think about before you buy one.
Safety: According to child safety experts at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), young children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. When using a paddling pool, parents should supervise children at all times and always drain the pool immediately after use.
Age suitability: Paddling pools are a great way for kids to have fun at home, but you'll need to consider how much outdoor space you actually have before investing. Fortunately, there are options to suit almost every garden size, whether that's a small terrace or a sprawling lawn.
Pool size: Paddling pools are a great way for kids to have fun at home, but you'll need to consider how much outdoor space you actually have before investing. There are a range of paddling pools to suit all kinds of spaces, whether that's a small terrace or a sprawling garden.
Garden suitability: Consider whether you have a suitable space to position your paddling pool. Ideally, it should be placed on a flat surface, although you may want to avoid patios or decking in case children slip or fall. A level lawn is ideal, but if your garden is on a slope, you may prefer to make the most of gravity with a water slide instead.
Paddling pool lining: Budget-friendly paddling pools can be a great option for those not wanting to (ahem) splash out, but cheaper products often use lower-quality materials that are more prone to tears and punctures. For babies and toddlers this may not be an issue, but older children playing more energetically may need something sturdier that won’t fall apart after a handful of uses.
Versatility: If you want to get the best value for money, consider paddling pools with multiple uses or extra accessories. Does the pool come with inflatables, sprinklers or slides? These features can help keep children entertained for longer and may offer better long-term value, particularly for younger kids.
Sunshade: For babies andyounger children, you may want to choose a paddling pool with a canopy or sunshade to help protect them from harmful UV rays. It’s also important to avoid the midday sun where possible and reapply sunscreen regularly, especially when children are in and out of the water.
Do you need a pump? While some smaller paddling pools can still be inflated by mouth, using a pump is far quicker and much less tiring. If you don’t already own one, you may need to factor the additional cost into your budget.
Set up and ease of emptying: How easy is the pool to inflate, fill and pack away? While most models include a drainage valve, not all do, which can make emptying them awkward and time-consuming. It’s worth considering not only inflation time, but also how quickly the pool fills and how easy it is to store once summer is over.
Keeping the water clean: If you’re planning to reuse the water or keep the pool up for an extended period, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll keep it clean and hygienic. Features such as covers, filters and pumps can help reduce debris and keep the water fresher for longer.
What’s the best way to keep a paddling pool clean?
Once the water has been drained, wipe down the pool with a towel or cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
Next, clean the sides of the pool using a suitable cleaning solution - either one part bleach to five parts water, or a homemade mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. A scrubbing brush or broom can help make the job easier. Pay particular attention to any slippery patches, as these are often caused by bacteria or algae build-up.
Once cleaned, rinse the paddling pool thoroughly using a high-pressure hose.
What size paddling pool should I choose?
The size of the paddling pool you choose should depend largely on the age of the children using it, how many people will be in it at once, and how much outdoor space you have available. For babies and toddlers, a compact shallow pool - typically around 2ft to 4ft wide and under 1ft deep - is usually the safest and most practical option, as it requires less water and warms up more quickly.
Older children will generally get more use from larger styles with enough room to properly splash, play and move around, while family-sized pools can comfortably fit multiple children or adults at once.
Bear in mind that larger pools can take significantly longer to inflate and fill, so for quick cooling off on very hot days, a smaller pool is often easier and more convenient to use regularly.
What types of paddling pools are available?
As you can see from our list of best paddling pools, there are lots of different styles of paddling pools to choose from. The most obvious types include:
Small 3-ring inflatables (with or without a sun canopy): best suited for babies and toddlers
Large, deep paddling pools: coming in a variety of sizes (round or rectangular) but normally suitable for older children and families to share
Play pools: normally shallow, these paddling pools offer additional accessories such as inflatables, slides or water sprays
Solid shell paddling pools: designed to be a more permanent fixture in your garden, these solid-walled paddling pools often come with a filter and pump to keep your water free from dirt and debris.
Do paddling pools come with a pump and repair kit?
Most paddling pools do not come with a pump (some do!), so check you already have one before promising your children an afternoon in their brand-new pool. If you don't own a pump, they can be bought for as little as £10.
Does your pool also come with a repair kit? After all, paddling pools can puncture, so having tools to hand for a quick fix is always useful. Most of the pools on our list come with a repair patch included, but for extra peace of mind, look out for hard-wearing, puncture-free materials to ensure your paddling pool stands the test of time.
What age can babies go in a paddling pool?
Officially, there is no specific minimum age at which you can use a paddling pool with a baby, however your child must be supervised at all times. Many paddling pools are recommended for babies aged one year or above, but you may wish to dip your babies' feet in and allow them to splash in the water.
It’s worth remembering to stay in the shade and avoid the midday sun due to babies’ sensitive skin and carefully consider the water temperature, ensuring it’s not too hot or too cold.
What temperature should a paddling pool be?
For a baby under three months, a temperature of around 32 degrees is recommended for paddling pools, but even older babies can lose heat very quickly. Test the water yourself to make sure it feels warm and don’t let them stay in too long at one time. About 20 minutes is ample.
Have plenty of warm towels to hand too so you can get your baby dry and dressed quickly afterwards.
How to empty a paddling pool
The best way to empty a paddling pool is by using a garden hose - you'd be surprised how much water you can siphon out using this method, and how easy it is.
Submerge your hose in the water until it fills completely, leaving no air bubbles. Pinch each end of the hose so that no water seeps out. While still pinching, take one end of the hose out of the water, carry it to the appropriate drain location, and then release your fingers so that the water drains out.
What's the best paddling pool to buy?
For families looking for a paddling pool that will genuinely last beyond one summer, we think the Bestway Steel Pro Paddling Pool is the best option available. Unlike inflatable styles that can puncture or lose shape easily, the sturdy steel-frame design feels far more robust and stable, making it well suited to regular use throughout the warmer months. Once assembled and filled, it’s designed to stay up all summer, so you’re not constantly inflating, emptying and packing it away between uses.
Its larger size also makes it ideal for older children or multiple kids playing together at once, with enough room for proper splashing, games and cooling off on hot afternoons. If you have the garden space for it, it’s a much more practical long-term option than repeatedly replacing smaller inflatable pools each year.
How we chose our recommendations
Products tried and tested by real parents
Mumsnetters know only too well how a good quality paddling pool can provide hours of entertainment during the summer months, so first up, we headed to the Mumsnet forums to read about genuine real-life experiences from our users. We researched the pools they have bought and loved, and features that Mumsnetters felt mattered most when purchasing paddling pools for their children. We also looked out for any bad experiences, including the pools they found hard to inflate, that burst easily or were generally of poor quality.
Bestsellers and expert guidance
We want to ensure all the products we recommend are fit for purpose and good value for money, so we extensively analysed the bestselling paddling pools from reputable brands such as Intex, Chad Valley and Bestway, to ensure they were well-regarded and trusted within the industry. We also considered advice from experts surrounding pool hygiene and the steps involved in keeping a paddling pool clean on a more long-term basis.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, we trawled through a significant number of online reviews on retailer sites such as Argos and Amazon to research wider consumer experiences of the pools on our shortlist, looking out for any criticisms, weaknesses or factors you may want to consider when selecting the right paddling pool for your family.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and freelance writer Mumsnet, specialising in baby, child and lifestyle product reviews. She has been reviewing products on her blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012 and is passionate about helping parents make informed buying decisions through detailed research, consumer feedback and hands-on experience. Lucy has also written for publications including Pregistry and the Evening Standard. Outside of work, she enjoys reading thrillers and gaming with her two daughters.